In the afternoon of April 11th 2019, the workshop on “Strategies and Policies in Transport Infrastructure Development - The Korean Experiences and Applicability in Vietnam” was successful.

This is the workshop co-organized by the University of Transport and Communications (UTC) and The Korea Transport Institute (KOTI) on the occasion of the 1st Anniversary of Vietnam-Korea Transport Infrastructure Cooperation Center (VKTrans) under the cooperation between UTC and KOTI. Attending the workshop were nearly 100 delegates from Vietnamese and Korean agencies, research institutes, universities and enterprises. The workshop was honored to receive the presence of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea to Vietnam Kim Do Hyon. The delegation from Korean included 32 members, many of them are the leaders of Korean agencies and research institutes such as President of KOTI Jae Hak Oh; President of Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology Seung Heon Han; President of Korea Railroad Research Institute Hee Seung Na; President of Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation Kyong Goo Hur; Director of Korea Transportation Safety Authority Dong Soo Kang. The workshop also attracted many leaders from agencies of the Ministry of Transport, research institutes and universities in Vietnam. The interest of the numerous managers, planners and policymakers of both Vietnam and Korea showed the importance of strategic planning and transport infrastructure development policy set at the top in Vietnam today.

After over 5 hours, discussion ideas and presentations with high theoretical and practical value of Korean experienced managers and experts created an open atmosphere for the workshop. Information and policies for developing transport infrastructure of Korea 40 years ago are valuable lessons for Vietnam today. The similarities in the history and culture of the two countries, the successes of Korea in the planning, development of transport infrastructure, smart traffic, and smart cities are the proofs for the right development policies in the past decades that Korean experts want to share to Vietnamese experts during the workshop. Experts of both sides agreed that only the right policies can promote the modern development of transport system to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. Solutions on speed limitation of the vehicles to reduce accidents are just temporary, not long-term solutions, discouraging infrastructure development. Like Korea before, a big question that is "What kind of traffic should be developed first: roads, railways, airways or waterways?" needs to be considered in accordance with Vietnam's circumstances and conditions to maximize the efficiency of the transport system. Many other issues also mentioned at the workshop such as Korea's public-private cooperation policy; mobilizing capital for the projects; improving the transparency; friendly policy mechanisms for investors, making investors feel safe; safety and traffic accidents ... have provided useful information for scientists and experts attending the workshop.

After one year of establishment, VKTrans has achieved some encouraging initial results. Delegates from both sides hope that VKTrans shall develop more strongly in the coming years, playing an important connecting role in Vietnam-Korea relations, contributing positively to the development of Vietnam's transport infrastructure.

International Cooperation Department

Some photos at the workshop:

Welcome the leader delegation to UTC

Welcome participants to the workshop

Scene of the workshop

President of UTC council Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Long delivered the opening speech

President of KOTI Dr. Jae Hak Oh delivered the speech

Ambassador of South Korea in Hanoi HE. Kim Do Hyon gave a speech

Director of Science and Technology of Ministry of Transport Hoang Ha gave a speech

President of Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) Mr. Seung Heon Han gave a speech